Improvement in car-couplings



1. B. STAMOUR.

Car-Couplings.

N0.l55,993, Patented Oct. 13, 1874.

IZI.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. STAMOUR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., ASSIGNOR OF ONEFOURTH HIS RIGHT TO ISAAC W. VAN HOUTEN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 155,993, dated October 13, 1874; application filed September 26, 1874.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BAPTIST STA- MOU'R, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented Improvements in Oar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is a self-connecting car-coupling, in which the sliding coupling-pin operates in connection with a movable pawl or bar to secure the link upon the introduction of the latter into the box, the said bar resting upon inclined ribs so as to slide forward by its weight and catch the pin when the latter is raised, the usual expensive and unreliable operating and retaining springs being dispensed with.

On reference to the longitudinal section, Figure 1, and sectional perspective view, Fig. 2, of the accompanying drawing, A is the usual cast metal box, across the mouth of which extends a rib, i, and in an opening in the top of which slides the vertical couplingpin B, having at the lower end an enlargement, a, and near the top a shoulder, e, which limit its movements. Above the enlargement or of the pin is an annular recess, 0, and in the lower side of the box A is an opening, 01, into which the coupling pin extends when it is lowered. A bar, 0, extends through elongated slots m n in the top and bottom of the box, and has upon its opposite sides lugs 25 t, which rest upon the upper edges of inclines s 8, arranged within the box on opposite sides of the slot n. Owing to its inclined bearings, the bar O has always a tendency to slide forward, so that a projecting finger, u, at the front edge of the bar, is maintained in contact with the coupling-pin B. When, therefore, the pin is lowered, the finger u bears against the side of the pin, and the bar is maintained in the vertical position shown in Fig. 2; but on raising the pin to the position shown in Fig. 1, the bar will slide forward and downward on the inclines s, the finger u will enter the recess 0, and the pin will be retained in its elevated position. The introduction of a link into the box will force the bar 0 back to the position shown in Fig. 2, and release the pin, which will descend through the link and secure the latter.

It will be seen that the bar 0 is operated solely by its gravity, and that this bar and the inclines s are the only novel appliances in the coupling device, which is therefore less complicated and expensive, and more durable and certain in its action than those in which the automatic mechanism depends for its operation upon springs, or those in which unusual and complicated retaining devices are substituted for the ordinary pin and link.

A detachable pin, 0, may be fitted to an opening in the lower end of the bar O, to preventthe latter from being thrown upward out of the slot at, and a permanent link may be placed within the box, where it is retained by the pin (J, this link being drawn out to the extent permitted by the bar when a detachable link is not employed.

When it is required to retain a detachable link in the horizontal position required to effeet the coupling with an opposite box, the said link is pushed back until it catches beneath the shoulder at of the finger u, by which it will be held in the desired position.

I claim- 1. The combination, with the box A and coupling-pin B, of a bar, 0, resting on inclines s, and provided with a finger, u, for retaining the pin, as set forth.

2. The box A, its pin B, and inclines s, in combination with the bar 0, its lugs 15, finger u, and shoulder as, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN B. STAMOUR.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. FOSTER, JAMEs L. SKrnMoRE. 

